Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is interesting. Dr. Morning made the point about the need for SUSI grant reform. It is my view it should be a priority, but the Government has to make difficult investment and spending choices. Dr. Morning will be aware there is a proposal being floated around cutting student fees. My personal view is that if there are resources to be made available at higher education level, it should be an increase in the core grant, because of underfunding, and in reform of the SUSI grant scheme. I do not know whether Dr. Morning has a perspective on this. I know budgetary negotiations are going on. In an ideal world, everything could be done, but what should be prioritised? I am always concerned that if the core grant is cut, one of the first services to be cut would be counselling. If the fee income is reduced, that is what universities and higher education institutions will do.